Blue Ribbon Campaign Marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month

For Immediate Media Release
March 3, 2015

Blue Ribbon Campaign on State Street to Prevent Child Abuse
April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month

CHICAGO, Ill – On April 1, 2015 - Pro Se Services, a nonprofit, has partnered with the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS), Chicago Loop Alliance, John Marshall Law School, local schools and universities, churches, community organizations, police officers, fire fighters, businesses, motorcycle groups, and elected officials to launch the first ever, month long, Blue Ribbon Campaign on State Street. The goal is to build public awareness on preventing child abuse and neglect. The kick-off event will be Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. CST at the Gateway on State Street (Lake/State Street). Here we will tie blue ribbon on the trees in the Gateway, and on the trunks of trees located on State Street from Wacker Drive to Congress Parkway. Also, we will be handing out information cards and blue ribbons to the public. In addition, volunteers will plant signs with messages on how to strengthen families and preventing child abuse.

“April marks National Child Abuse Prevention month and I want to spread the word that we need to be diligent in protecting the children in our community. We need to speak out and be an agent of rescue and refuge when we see a child in an abusive situation or a family fallen on hard times. And for those of us who have been abused beyond imagination and have experienced hardships in life, we must lace up our bootstraps, forgive and move forward”, said Campaign Manager Dinae Knox. Knox is a 14-year veteran of the foster care system in Chicago, IL.

This month and throughout the year, Pro Se Services along with its partners and sponsors encourage all individuals and organizations to play a role in making Illinois a better place for children and families. By giving this hidden epidemic a voice and ensuring that parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children, we can help promote children’s social and emotional well-being and prevent child maltreatment within families and communities. Research shows that when parents possess six protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families are promoted. The six protective factors are: nurturing and attachment; knowledge of parenting and of child and youth development; parental resilience; social connections; concrete supports for parents; and, social and emotional developmental well-being

The public can get involved and show its community that they are committed to the welfare of all children in Illinois and support Pro Se Services’ efforts towards strengthening families while reaching hundreds of regional business and community leaders through the following events:

 Kick Off Press Conference
o Blue Ribbon Campaign on State Street, Wednesday, April 1, 2015 from 12:00 – 2:00p.m.

 Building Healthy Families Relief Center
o Wednesdays (April 8, 15, 22, and 29) – Shalem SDA Church, 1105 Pine Street, Waukegan, IL from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.

 Youth Connections Café
o Fridays (April 10, 17, and 24) – Shiloh SDA Church, 7000 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

 Focus on the Family Community Socials
o Saturdays (April 11, 18, and 25) – Independence SDA Church, 3808 W. Polk Street, Chicago, IL from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

For more information on our events / services, please visit: www.dinaeknox.com/events

 Media Contact: Dinae Knox
(708) 368-5515 mobile
(708) 469-1674 fax
dk@dinaeknox.com